Job Opportunities at World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

Job Summary

Provide support for conducting maize disease screening trials for multiple must have diseases traits across various product profile in artificially inoculated screening sites and hotspot locations in Kenya and conduct seed health related activities (diagnosis at laboratory & documentation) for safe and clean seed movement in and out of Kenya.

Job Description

• Support the Maize Pathologist for SSA in planning and implementation of artificial inoculation disease screening trials for disease traits e.g., FER, GLS, TLB, MLN. This Support the Maize Pathologist for SSA in planning and implementation of artificial inoculation disease screening trials for disease traits e.g., FER, GLS, TLB, MLN. This includes seed preparation, trial design, field book generation, inoculum preparation, artificial inoculations, trial agronomical management, data recording and data analysis.
• Work in close supervision with other technicians (NARS & CIMMYT) in trial monitoring and to ensure high standards of Phyto sanitation in all the screening site during disease screening are maintained.
• Support site technician for MLN field screening trials, including seed preparation, planting, agronomic management, and data collection from field trials, as required.
•  Support disease diagnosis and disease sample collection during disease survey and assist Maize pathologist on disease survey and epidemiological studies as appropriately needed.
• Assist scientists in training partners on disease diagnosis and management.
• Execute seed health testing for the detection of maize-seed borne virus, bacteria, and fungi.
• Responsible for movement of clean, disease free seed into and out of Kenya (for both CIMMYT and other partners and comply with quarantine regulations.
• Coordinate with other breeding, DH & seed system colleagues for proper seed movement and exchange between sites in Kenya to prevent accidental introduction of Maize lethal necrosis (MLN).
• Comply with lab safety and Phyto sanitation requirement to ensure good laboratory practices (at ICRAF).
• Responsible for timely uploading the regulatory details in Ken trade online for smooth seed shipment and lab reagent import and export.
• Responsible for maintaining records of Lab (ICRAF) inventory for all consumables and chemicals, testing and shipping documents and reports.  
• Assist maize pathologist in Implementation of established policies related to maize seed health and maize pathology at CIMMYT in Kenya.

Requirements

• MSC in plant sciences with 3-5 years’ work experience in trial management, data analysis and disease diagnosis.
• Computer literacy.
• Excellent communication skills.

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Job Summary

The Communications Specialist will actively communicate about key CIMMYT projects in Africa on a regular basis.

Job Description

• Work closely with the Communications Officer to provide communication and media support to prioritized special events/workshops/meetings and conferences.
• Work with scientists and partners to visit farmers and on-station trials to write impact stories.
• Write press releases, media invites and coordinate media visits to various events and field tours.
• Write content for the production of publications, including newsletters, scientific reports, etc.
• Support and coordinate photography and videography activities for field activities.
• Work and follow-up with vendors (local and HQ) to produce high quality print and audio-visual communication products.
• Prepare content for campaigns including messages, pictures, videos etc.
• Monitor and upload content in projects websites.
• Support new approaches to create and distribute multi-media content to the CIMMYT projects in the region.
• Any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

• University degree in Journalism, Communications, or related discipline. Master’s degree a plus.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in science communications, marketing, public relations, media campaigns, and/or nonprofit communications.
• Non-profit organization experience or demonstrated understanding of the non-profit and/or agricultural research for development environments.
• Excellent English writing, storytelling and editing skills
• Familiarity with agriculture, science, development or a related field,
• Experience with WordPress.
• Proficiency in use of social networking and new media tools.
• Familiarity with Adobe graphic design applications would be an advantage
• Good photography and videography skills are a plus.
• The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: Communication, Innovation and Creativity, Decision-Making, and Multi-Cultural Awareness/Sensitivity.